The Creature and the Spy

17: The Convince

I have recovered fully from the drug. Deep inside, I'm thankful that Araki did not use that opportunity to rape me in the guise of 'helping me relieve' just like what I usually see in smutty novels.

Although we had incomprehensible sex on my first night here (which was with consent, at least), Araki was respectful enough not to take advantage of my weakness.

"Thank you for that." I once said the morning after the incident.

"I wouldn't have sex with a drug." Araki answered. "I wouldn't do that again, Hansel."

He was probably talking about the time he administered a love spell on me the year before.

Oh, so he regrets that.

In the following days, Araki has been nothing but careful, attentive, and loving. He stays inside the condominium with me. He cooks, he cleans, he looks at him lovingly. My one year anger slowly diminishes, replaced by little smiles I could give.

Do not forget your mission.

Araki forbids me to go out. He has become more possessive. He locks the door whenever he leaves (which is not very often), he looks at my every move, and he looks at the window every 30 minutes.

Hansel cannot do anything about it. The walls and windows are not just human concretes, I realized. Araki enforced something on them, like a spell to make the walls thicker, or impassable, or maybe incomprehensible. I try to stay still too, wondering if maybe, I try to break free he would know or it would hurt me.

But I cannot stay still.

I'm under mission, and I need to stop Araki's plans somehow. I'm so close to my subject, yet Araki is very calculated. Why would he not? He's keeping an agent of NBI in his home. I may be a prisoner, but he's probably taking measures because he knows I'm a genius (ahem), and of course, I'm working with my fellow NBI agents, namely Harold Juno, my dad.

Harold and Araki knew each other when I was just 7, I think they're taking precautions on each other's movements.

In addition to my worries, If I fail this mission despite my proximity to the subject, I could only bet what NBI reports might go.

"Stupid police officer, ends the world by being too weak."

or

"Lovesick NBI agent let ex-boyfriend kill humanity."

Whatever and well.

I need to stop Araki somehow, and if I cannot do it with my immense physical strength and sassy personality, then maybe I can talk sense into Araki?

Araki is very sure of his mindest, how can he change a villain's mind? Usually, in superhero comics, a villain's mind doesn't change. All the hero can do is to kill them. And I cannot kill Araki.

Because he's a horned tree demon.

He's very sensitive to life-threatening situations.

He's immune to guns and knives.

The only available knife in the house is a 3-inch tomato cutter.

And, Araki deserves a second chance.

Araki hums to himself while washing the dishes. On the BlueTooth speaker, Bamboo's Umagang kay Ganda (Morning so Beautiful) plays, reminding us both of the sweet times together in Araki's dusty underworld cot.

In a dark place darkened my greed, but beautified by glowing flowers and smell of garden soil. Just remembering them transports me to the past, of calmness, of tranquility, and of sorrow.

"I think we're running out on groceries," I say mindlessly, nibbling on the last potato chip.

"Do you want to go outside to shop with me?" Araki muses.

"I-   really?" I almost fall off my chair in disbelief.

"No. I use an app to have my groceries delivered." and he chuckles a little.

"You're a jerk." I pout.

"I'm sorry love, but you will stay here until..."

"...the plan commences." I continue. I still know the position we're in. It's been four days since the drug incident, and the deadline of that plan (I'm still not sure what or when), is impending.

Araki dries the dishes silently, and only the squeaks of the cloth against the plate could be heard.

"Araki, are you really going to kill everyone?" I ask innocently.

"No. Just the low-minded."

"What does that mean? Just the criminals? How can you pick up which one is good and which one is evil?"

"That's what I've been working for. Hansel, this plan is very well-thought. I've worked with scientists and deities who share the same ideologies. It's time we make another acceleration program, and this time, it will be seamless. It will be successful. It will drive humanity for faster advancement." Araki explains.

"But it's wrong."

A clatter.

The plate falls from Araki's hands, no, it was thrown. I flinch.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU??" Araki shouts. I was alarmed, but that did not disturb my dominance.

"Araki, people are going to die!"

"USELESS PEOPLE!" Araki breaths, trying to make himself calm. "Honestly, this is what's wrong with you righteous heroes. You only think what has been taught to you, but you never think outside the box. You think it's wrong to hope for a better world? By plucking out the weeds? Fuck you and your pro-life shit!"

"Araki... Of course it's..."

"You're such a hypocrite, you know that?"

"Huh?" I asked, having a little hint on why he could say that I am.

"Don't act innocent. You kill to get what you want, too, yours is for a shallower cause. You killed that Bornean diplomat. You slashed King Dimito. AND YOU KILLED MY LITTLE BROTHER! For what? For a little information? For a little revenge? Don't act so heroic, you blind soldier."

Araki leaves the broken plate and heads towards the door. He angrily twirled his hand in the air, and I can feel a pulse of energy added on the walls. He left me, alone, in a stronger barrier spell, and heavier breathing.

He knew that I killed his brother.

Of course, he would! Why haven't I thought of that! When he told me he placed that robe of my size in his closet for me to use, I should have suspected. Araki did mention he was spying me all along. Of course he knew I killed Jadaki. I was blinded with rage when I accidentally slashed the innocent boy who's just loyal enough to shield his King.

I killed Jadaki.

Araki's right. I'm a hypocrite.

But how can Araki still care for a man who killed the only family he's left? What if he's imprisoning me as a form of punishment, not of possesive love? 

I can't help but cry. MY eyes sting so much that I let then flow away while hugging my knees. I let my cries fill the empty condominium.

Why did I do that? Why did I kill?

Because I was under orders. The new director of NBI did tell me to acquire information by any means possible. I was just following orders.

I'm a blind soldier.

Araki stays out that night, and I let myself sleep in the cold cot, pillows stained in tears. 

I'm still under mission. If I really am the bad guy, then so be it.